A PRINCES Risborough man who has worked tirelessly for his community has been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours.

Peter Robinson, 87, has been given The British Empire Medal for services to the community in Princes Risborough.

The Berryfield Road resident said: "I felt I was being over rewarded. There are a lot of people around that probably do equally as much.

"I also felt very honoured and very proud."

Mr Robinson is a trustee of The Princes Centre in Clifford Road and chairman of the fundraising committee.

It has been two years since a social enterprise took over the running of the day care centre from Buckinghamshire County Council and almost £200,000 has been raised of the £300,000 needed to buy the building and maintain services.

He was chairman of Risborough Cares Charity, which is how he became involved with the centre.

Mr Robinson said: "Part of our being was to prevent the centre from closing. When they decided to close it we started to campaign to keep it open."

He was in the RAF when he came to Princes Risborough 50 years ago with his wife, Janet and two sons, Bryn and Craig, who are now 54 and 51.

Mr Robinson became chairman of the PTA where his sons went to school and later governor of three local schools.

He said: "We all liked Risborough and when it came to move I decided to leave the air force as we liked living here."

He took over a newsagents in the Market Square in Risborough and later a shop in Walters Ash, where the Co-op is now.

Mr Robinson said: "It was a very busy way of life. I got to know a lot of people."

He became president of the Chamber of Trade, has been president of the Round Table and Rotary and was president of the town's youth club until three months ago.

His wife, Janet, died ten years ago, aged 70. He has four grand children.

Mr Robinson said: "If I saw something happening I would come and speak to my wife and she would say, 'Why don't you try and do something about it?' That is how I became involved in most things."

He added: "I would like to thank the people of Princes Risborough for being so generous and kind to me."